Cleveland's offense simply did not work with backup Dorion Thompson-Robinson at QB

The Ravens passed their second early-season AFC North test Sunday in Cleveland, beating the Browns 28-3 to move to 3-1. The Browns, by nearly every measure, had the best defense in the league coming into the game, but an extremely efficient day from Lamar Jackson — 15-for-19 passing for 187 yards, two TDs and a 142.8 passer rating to go with two rushing TDs — kept the Ravens ahead.

Cleveland’s offense, meanwhile, sank with backup QB Dorian Thompson-Robinson behind center. The rookie completed just 19 of 35 passes for 121 yards.

Read below for updates and analysis from the game, and check out what we learned from the convincing win.

4th quarter

Lol. The game ends on an interception.

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Not thrilling football. Not revelatory football. But winning football for the Ravens, who move to 3-1.

Ravens 28, Browns 3 (5:56)

The Ravens finally close this one out following the interception, with Lamar Jackson buying time on the final play by stepping up before finding Mark Andrews open for his second touchdown of the day.

It’s so hard to watch

Dorian Thompson-Robinson is doing his best Rex Grossman impersonation and appears to be just firing the ball as hard as he can when he has no other option. This time, the pass goes to Geno Stone who, notably, plays for the Ravens.

Ravens also struggling on offense

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Baltimore goes three and out. The Ravens have gained 8 yards this half. Which hardly seems to matter at this point.

So bad

It’s just really bad. The Cleveland offense. So bad.

The Browns attempted to make a very bold decision to go for it on fourth-and-6 from their own 20 and then .... had a false start. So they punted. Sigh.

3rd quarter

I’m sort of actually getting a bit sad trying to write about Cleveland’s offense. Things just are not going well. This QB play is about as uneven as you’ll see — not surprising from a fifth-round rookie forced into action. And, even when he does good things, like his mad dash toward a first down on the final play of the quarter, the play is called back by a holding call.

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Ravens stopped

I love the call on fourth-and-1 as Lamar Jackson takes a naked bootleg right and picks up the first down. I also don’t mind the angry reaction from Mark Andrews to the hit the Jackson took. It wasn’t dirty by any means but why not?

But Cleveland’s defense responds to that challenge, as injury replacement Daniel Faalele gives up a sack, then Patrick Mekari allows pressure, and then the entire line is caved in on third down.

Jordan Stoudt’s punt is caught at the 8.

The Browns’ offense is very bad

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Patrick Queen powered through the Cleveland offense and crushed QB Dorian Thompson-Robinson to create a second-and-21. Then Thompson-Robinson threw a pass that should have been picked. On third down he was immediately flushed, tried to get away and dropped the ball. That brings up a fourth-and-38, and the Ravens will take over on the Cleveland side of the field after a punt and return.

The Browns’ defense is dynamic, yes, but it sure feels like if the Ravens can score here this game will be over. The offense isn’t getting anything done.

Halftime analysis

Injury note: Ravens defensive back Daryl Worley will not return after sustaining a shoulder injury early. Offensive lineman Morgan Moses also will not return. And CB Jalyn Armour-Davis (hamstring), primarily a special teams player, has been ruled out.

Despite the better weather, the Ravens’ ball security did not improve from Week 3 to Week 4. However, what did improve was the Ravens’ response to adversity. It took multiple three-and-outs for the offense to get going, but once it did, the first sustained drive ended on a Justice Hill fumble. Last week, that swung the whole tenor of the game. This week, the Ravens’ offense came back out and reset, driving all the way into the end zone. Hill rushed for 25 yards on two carries. Quarterback Lamar Jackson carried in two of the three touchdowns and hit tight end Mark Andrews for the 21-3 lead.

On defense, the Ravens showed up the Browns’ highly touted defense throughout the first half. They gave little and took a lot. The Browns, led by rookie quarterback Dorian Thompson-Robinson, averaged just 2.3 yards per play with only four first downs. The Ravens defense also set up the first touchdown of the game when Brandon Stephens intercepted Thompson-Robinson and returned it 52 yards in the first quarter. Meanwhile, the Browns, who came into the game allowing just 2.8 yards per rush, gave up 6.2 yards per rush.

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After struggling to start the game, the Ravens found their stride and looked like the better team on offense and defense through most of the first half.

— Giana Han

2nd quarter

Ravens 21, Browns 3 (0:11)

Gah. A wonderful little toss from Lamar Jackson to Justice Hill, who weaves down the field for a huge gain, comes back because Patrick Mekari held Myles Garrett.

But Gus Edwards gains 16 yards on first-and-20. The Ravens’ running game is much, much improved this week. Cleveland’s defensive tackles are just OK, and Tyler Linderbaum is back. Not sure if that’s all that is fueling it, but it’s been impressive.

Anyway, the Ravens pick up the first with another sneaky impressive Zay Flowers play, as he takes a short throw and jukes, then pushes to the line.

After a short run, OL Morgan Moses has to leave the game. Appears to be a left shoulder or arm issue.

Jackson drops a beautiful pass into the outstretched arms of Melvin Gordon III for a third-down conversion.

But Jackson is swallowed up immediately by Myles Garrett on the next play, leading to a loss of 9.

The Ravens are called for holding on the next play — John Simpson this time. That brings up a second-and-29.

Oh my. Lamar Jackson has plenty of time but finds nothing. He rolls right, and Zay Flowers smartly crosses the field to give him a target. A 43-yard throw gives the Ravens a first down at Cleveland’s 11.

Jackson throws a perfect pass for Nelson Agholor, but he can’t get both feet down. Only Jackson’s second incompletion.

On third, Jackson lofts a ball into traffic but places it perfectly for only Mark Andrews to grab.

Jackson was exceptional on that drive, which covered 74 yards in 10 plays.

Ravens tight end Mark Andrews catches a touchdown pass over Denzel Ward (21) and Juan Thornhill of the Browns during the second quarter. (Jason Miller/Getty Images)

Browns still going nowhere

Stop if you’ve heard this one before: Jadeveon Clowney blew up the play but failed to get the sack on third down as the Brows try to answer.

Still, Dorian Robinson-Thompson has nowhere to throw and has to toss the ball away, leading to another punt and giving the Ravens 2:45 to try to add on.

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Ravens 14, Browns 3 (4:18)

Ravens starting to gash the Browns a bit. It helps to have a bit of vintage Lamar Jackson magic. Sensing a rush, he steps up, appears as though he may run, stops and throws back the other way to Mark Andrews, who rumbles 36 yards.

Tough running from Justice Hill and Melvin Gordon III pushes the Ravens to the 2. Jackson darts right, following blockers, and scores.

Seven runs on the drive, which lasts eight plays and covers 93 yards.

One big change we’re seeing in the Ravens’ offense is increased presnap motion. They used it on about 50% of plays in the first three weeks, but it’s up to 70% today.

Another stop by Baltimore

The Browns’ offense — averaging -0.47 EPA per play, according to rbsdm.com — can’t get anything going again, but a well-placed punt pins the Ravens at their own 7.

Promising Ravens drive ends with fumble

The Ravens get something going, with Justice Hill running wide and turning up field for a big gain. Then Lamar Jackson is allowed to stand in and finds Mark Andrews settled underneath the safeties for another first down.

Jackson tries to finally get the ball in the hands of Zay Flowers on an in-breaking route and he’s grabbed and ... yes, there’s a flag this time. But also a lot of discussion.

Two fouls, including pass interference on Denzel Ward, one of the top corners in the game. He had no shot at stopping Flowers on that.

All of it adds up to nothing, though, as Jackson and Hill have a very strange timing issue and botch the handoff, leading to a fumble that is picked up by the Browns.

Brutal.

Cleveland stopped early

The Ravens’ defense is good, too. Kyle Van Noy already making a big impact. Browns fail to get a first down.

1st quarter

The Ravens answer Cleveland’s field goal with three bad plays that do not deserve to be described here. Third three-and-out.

Ravens 7, Browns 3 (2:21)

Brandon Stephens was the hero of the last drive. This time, a big pass interference by him puts the Browns in the red zone. What happened, really, was that the throw was so bad and behind the receiver that Stephens never would have anticipated the way the receiver stopped midroute.

Then the Browns run backward to lose 20 yards on one play. And on the next Dorian Thompson-Robinson tries to play rugby, leading to a third-and-31. The Browns get 5 yards and settle for a 53-yard field goal.

What a weird drive.

A brutal early injury for the Ravens

Daryl Worley, one of several players who was forced to play more than 100 snaps last week, is in the locker room with a shoulder injury.

Ravens 7, Browns 0 (6:38)

Right after the turnover the Ravens go to what works. Lamar Jackson keeps the ball and dashes into the end zone behind the lead block of Morgan Moses. Only the second TD allowed by the Browns.

Not so comfortable this time

A very messy second drive out of rookie QB Dorian Thompson-Robinson ends when his errant throw is tipped into the air and caught by Brandon Stephens. He jumps up and returns the ball 52 yards.

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Nothing working for Ravens’ offense

On first down of Baltimore’s second drive, Lamar Jackson has time to find Gus Edwards for a short gain. But on second Myles Garrett overwhelms Patrick Mekari for a sack. And on third down Tyler Linderbaum, back from an ankle injury, is called for Baltimore’s second false start.

This offensive line is not dealing so well with the Browns.

Jackson has time to throw on third down but finds Mark Andrews for a gain that is 6 yards short of the first down.

Of note, former Ravens pass rusher Za’Darius Smith went to the blue tent for injury evaluation during the drive.

Browns rookie QB looks comfortable

Dorian Thompson-Robinson looked very good on his first drive (3-for-5, 24 yards, generally in rhythm with his throws), but a big pass breakup by Roquan Smith and timely pressure by new Ravens linebacker Kyle Van Noy forced a punt.

Ravens squander strong run to start

The Ravens receive the opening kickoff and will get an immediate look at this Cleveland defense.

Gus Edwards gains 6 yards on his first carry. That’s a true achievement against this front, which has generally been hitting backs before they even get back to the line.

But on second down Morgan Moses is called for a false start. Facing second-and-9, the Ravens opt for a swing pass to Edwards but he’s hit for a gain of only 3.

Jackson rolled right on third down — which you’ll probably see a fair bit today — but his receivers got no separation and he had no room to run.

A three-and-out to start for Baltimore.

Inactives

The Browns have ruled starting quarterback Deshaun Watson out of Sunday’s game against the Ravens and will turn to rookie Dorian Thompson-Robinson in the AFC North matchup.

Watson was limited in practice all week with a right (throwing) shoulder injury but told reporters Friday he expected to play. Thompson-Robinson, a fifth-round pick from UCLA, had an impressive preseason but has yet to throw a pass in a regular-season game.

With Watson ruled out, the Ravens went from slight underdogs to slight favorites Sunday morning despite significant injuries themselves. Wide receivers Rashod Bateman (hamstring) and Odell Beckham Jr. (ankle), left tackle Ronnie Stanley, outside linebacker Odafe Oweh (ankle), cornerback Marlon Humphrey (foot) and safety Marcus Williams (pectoral) are inactive. Quarterback Josh Johnson is the emergency third-string quarterback.

Williams was a full participant in practice Thursday and Friday in his first week back since his Week 1 injury. He was considered questionable for Sunday’s game. In his absence, Ravens safety Daryl Worley could see significant action on defense.

Running back Justice Hill (foot), center Tyler Linderbaum (ankle) and safety Kyle Hamilton (back), who were also considered questionable, were activated. With Gus Edwards cleared to play after a possible concussion last week and Hill back after missing one game, the offense will have two of its top ball carriers available.

The Browns also activated starting tight end David Njoku, who suffered burns to his face and arm in an accident at home while lighting a fire pit.

— Jonas Shaffer